A little New Year project for ME!

I just finished a Tim Holtz “Idea-Ology Configurations Box.”  It was a blast!  Similar to our old “shadow boxes,” this Configuration box has small compartments and can be customized to suit your color palette and taste.  Take a look: Click Here – I flipped some of the little boxes over, took some out and put on the top, covered with my favorite papers and stamped, painted and embellished with little trinkets.  So.Much.FUN!  Inspired by Tim Holtz and Christy Tomlinson and tons of Configuration Boxes on Pinterest.  Get creative!  Inspire yourself!  As you can see, my little word is represented, and other key words and phrases I want to think about for the new year.  I think you’d love this project!   Happy 2013!

My Little Word for 2013

I’ve been hearing about this “little word for 2013″ lately and decided that I was going to choose a word to concentrate on for this new year instead of doing the dreaded, breakable, normal “resolutions.”  I’m not a resolution girl per say but I do like to take an “inventory” of the prior year on New Year’s Eve and set some goals or vow to work on or change some things.  This year its alllllll about THE LITTLE WORD…PURSUE.  My word is PURSUE.

…verb
1. to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase. (Not liking the kill part…)
2. to follow close upon; go with; attend.
3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
4. to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
5. to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.

So my thought is to make sure that word is on my mind and tongue and in front of me every day for 2013.  The word strikes a chord in me.  After a big 2012 (new business, my artwork, running my first 5K, going through all the “firsts” after my mother passed away, moving, etc.) I decided that I still want to keep growing and changing and creating my life. PURSUE is an awesome word!

So far it means to me:  walk through every open door, if the door isn’t open, OPEN IT, stick your neck out there, don’t quit, go after what you want, pursue relationships, pursue new skills, pursue your dreams, pursue wellness, pursue GOD.  And down the road, I’m sure the word will take on new meanings and actions.

I’m excited about this word!

Also, in 2013, I am diving into the world of “Art Journaling.”  My goal is to spend at least 10 minutes per day working in a journal and documenting this journey.  I can’t wait!  Happy New Year everyone!

2012 in review – Happy New Year!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 14,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 3 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

St. Andrew Novena Starts Today!

Good Morning!  Happy Friday!  I am re-posting this entry from last year.  I am going to pray this Novena once again and invite you to join in.  When I think back to this time last year, it was mostly a blur.  All I really remember is grief, sadness, sorrow and being in a daze because we had just lost my mother. BUT, I do remember praying this novena. I actually kept my prayer sheet and looking back, this Novena helped me when I was at my lowest.  It comforted me, it made me be proactive, it made me think of other people, it brought me back to a routine.  I remember it was the first time I didn’t have to pray for my mother to be healed. Instead, as hard as it was, I prayed for her soul.

So, here it is:

I was invited to pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena this year.  Wanted to invite you to do so also.   The St. Andrew prayer is a special “Christmas Novena” which is prayed every day from November 30th (today on the Feast Day of St. Andrew) until Christmas. Everyone has special intentions and petitions that need prayer and also prayers of thanks for something special that God has already answered. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to spend the Christmas season. It is OK to enjoy the spirit of the season with gifts, decorating and baking…but we must never lose sight of what this time of year is really all about.

The prayer must be said 15 times a day. You can say the prayer all at once; or divide up through the day.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires {state your intention(s) here}, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897

God Bless you, and Merry Christmas!

Definition of VOUCHSAFE

transitive verb

1 a : to grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending manner b : to give by way of reply <refused to vouchsafe an explanation>

2 : to grant as a privilege or special favor

Pray More Novenas dot com

December 8th is the feast of The Immaculate Conception. join me in praying this Novena! From Pray More Novenas dot com:

Peace be with you!

Today is the first day of the Immaculate Conception Novena!

It’s time to pray!

I’m looking forward to seeing the things that God does through this novena. We should all do our best to be open to God’s will and looking for Him even more during this novena.

One of the great things about praying a novena this way is all of the prayer partners you get!

There are about 32,000 people who are joining you and me in praying the Immaculate Conception Novena!

Don’t forget to post your intentions and read and pray for the intentions of the whole community.

Today, I’d like to ask you to pray for all those in need.

Many people suffer material poverty and go un-noticed and un-cared for. Please pray that not only will God provide for them, but that we will provide for them and not take anything for granted in our own lives.

Here are the novena prayers for today:

Day 1 – Immaculate Conception Novena Prayers

O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God – the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being his beloved mother. By the power of his Cross, he preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation.

I pray first of all that you would make me worthy to call you my mother and your Son, Jesus, my Lord.

I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will.

Hail Mary…

Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests…

(Mention your intentions)

My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God’s will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God’s grace with humility like you.

As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus!

Hail Mary…

Amen.

Thank you for joining me and thousands of others in praying this Immaculate Conception Novena.

join us at http://www.praymorenovenas.com

TeaBags And Gardenias Sale

TeaBags And Gardenias Black Friday through Monday Sale:

CLICK HERE!!!

Use coupon code “hohoho” for free shipping!

OR

use “santa” for 25% off!

Happy shopping!

P.S. Please like us on Facebook!  CLICK ME!

Exciting Announcement – TeaBags And Gardenias

I am really excited to announce that I have been accepted into 3 upcoming art shows!!

Mark your calendars and come see us in the TeaBags And Gardenias booth!

Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28 I will be at the first Annual JOHNS CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL Click Here for more information.

Saturday November 3rd, I’ll be at Marist High School in Atlanta participating in their “Holiday Traditions,” Showcasing over 240 talented Artists and Crafters. It is one of the largest juried Arts and Crafts Shows in the Southeast. Approximately 3500 shoppers attend. Click Here for more information.

And on Saturday November 10 and Sunday November 11 I was chosen to participate in the First Annual Blessed Trinity “Titan Tidings Christmas Gift Show!” on the campus of St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, GA. Blessed Trinity Catholic High School   11320 Woodstock Road   Roswell, GA  30075 Show will be located in the Blessed Trinity Cafeteria.  Dates of the show are 11/10/12 ( 2:00- 5:00) and 11/11/12 (10:00-4:00)

If you are local, please drop by and say hello!  Above and below are some sneak peeks into a few of my new pieces that will be offered at the shows!

We will also be offering “Custom Embellished Giclees.” Your Hair Color and Style, Your Skin Color, Your Special Words and MY SPECIAL TOUCH!  See last photo.  This will be a special order, produced on a stretched canvas and I will customized it for you based on your specifications!   xxoo LOVE IT!!